Before I took the car to see a mechanic just wanted to know what kind of problem I've had. Where can I check the transmission fluid and the transfer case on Jeep Wrangler 2000 Sport? I've checked the manual and it tells me how to check/fill the fluids but it doesn't tell me where it is in relation to the other engine components. Perhaps I have to lift the car?

Headed for Anacortes, WA (from Seattle)yesterday just for fun. Kind of overcast so I put the bikini top on. I haven't had it that long and was surprised that at 75 mph it just raised itself up in a bubble and didn't flap at all. My passenger, for once not my dog, thought it was pretty cool since it cut down on the wind whipping through the cab too.

Toured some boats I can't afford, had some alder-smoked salmon at the Eagles club BBQ and took the Jeep down lots of back roads.

Then I stopped at the Honda dealer and we took an S2000 for a little test drive. Hoooeeee, that's another kind of fun.

Anyway, the bikini top, a good investment, not much money and it stores under the seat.

No, you don't have to lift it. Just slide underneath with the handbook in one hand and compare the pictures with what you see. If you can't make sense of it, be sure to have your mechanic give you a basic checkout on all the stuff under there.

I was at my Jeep dealer this morning dropping mine off for some work (squeaky clutch) and climbed under a few '04's. I noticed than only the automatics had the new "shovel" member up front. None of the 5-speeds had it, they looked just like my '02.

On a more humorous note, they had a TR Rubi that they were asking $40K for (that's US dollars!). It was a completely stock TR edition with no dealer installed accessories. They listed an additional $10K for "market adjustment." I don't know what market they think they're in....

The dealer I went to where I test drove the TR edition only had his usual markup posted - about the same that he puts on everything. I doubt he manages to get that very often, but probably does help him do better than if he didn't have any markup posted at all (see, I'm discounting this vehicle...). I actually had another dealer (Toyota dealership) do that to me, and then try to convince me that MSRP was the dealer invoice...

No, nothing wrong with a $40K Wrangler. In fact, if someone is as happy with their vehicle as you are with T.J., then it doesn't really matter what it costs (as long as you can afford it).

The part that struck me as being funny was the additional $10K "Market Adjustment" they added. As if MSRP wasn't high enough, in these hard automotive sales times. It strikes me more of a "Sucker Adjustment," that I just have to laugh at rather than telling them what I really think. Too bad I can't tack on a few extra thousand for market adjustment when I sell or trade-in my older cars. Actually, I'm usually told they don't like to sell whatever I'm trading in and they want to deduct a few thousand as another kind of market adjustment. [/rant off]

The weather here is nice today, it's sunny and about 75F with 65% humidity (a little wet for this time of year).

Yes, I agree, they probably do close more deals with that extra markup because of the illusion of discounting a vehicle. I've also had them try that "MSRP is our cost and we have to mark it up a little..." bit on real hot selling cars.

How did you like the seats in the new '04's? Sitting in a couple, they seamed a little more comfortable than mine. They sure look different. I like their design a little better too. The handle on the passenger seat to flip it forward instead of a little rip cord to pull. The back seat had a nice handle top center to fold the seat up instead of that little metal lever on the older ones.

I have a '98, so I don't know what the '03s were like. I liked the handle on the back of the back seat - much easier than the lever. Of course, my seat is rarely in mine, so I guess it doesn't matter much. I didn't notice the passenger seat, though anything would be better than the rip cord. I find it really hard to do sometimes, and I can't figure out what I'm doing differently.

They are definitely lower than my '98, which would take some getting used to. They weren't so low that I felt uncomfortable (I won't ride in certain cars because I'm so small, and it is totally unnerving if I can't see the hood) but definitely something I'd have to get used to (do prefer the higher seats). I laughed at the red seatbelts (TR Edition). I felt like I was wearing red braces with my shorts. Would not be my choice, but it wasn't that big of a deal.

Tom - would you like to exchange weather with me? I could sure use a break - I'm tired of summer, and there is no break in sight at the moment.

Tom Thanks for the information on getting the build sheet. After receiving the build sheet and doing a car fax. I got the YJ. It gives Mary (wife) a Jeep closer to a CJ (Mary just doesn&#146;t like the dash of a TJ) and I got the 4.0 with fuel injection that I wanted. The spec. on "Sally&#148; is White with a black soft top, auto, ps, pb, tilt, air, 2&#148; body lift and 31&#146;s, aluminum wheels? The first thing Mary did Monday was ordered a set of 8&#148; AR-767. She said that the aluminum wheels would not last long in the woods. Thanks againWalt

I currently drive a 98' JGC 4x4 which has been a great vehicle. As the miles mount up im thinking of purchasing a new vehicle. I have been looking at the wrangler with auto sport/sierra/rubicon with full doors and hard top. I drive about 35,000 miles a year as a residential real estate appraiser. I do not off roading other than at camp jeep the last 2 years. Money/gas mileage are not an issue just the ride quality. I wanted an opinion as to the ride and comfort of the wrangler for such use and many miles a year. Thanks, Jeff

We are each "programmed" differently. To me, the ride and comfort of my Jeep are fine. I used it as my daily driver for the first several months after its purchase, and I drive 27 miles one way to work.

I have also been on fairly long trips in the Jeep, the longest being over eight hours. Once again, no problem.

Maybe it's just the "fun" factor overcoming any shortcomings in ride quality, but whatever the reason, I am no more tired when I get where I'm going than would be true for car travel. It is just plain enjoyable driving a Jeep!

Jeff, stepping down from a JGC to a Wrangler is a huge step! I'm sure you will be pleased if you choose one, they are serious fun.

Wrangler TJs are coil sprung, and have both front/rear solid axles, like your Grand. (Are they?) Because of the shorter wheelbase, the ride will be choppier. Because you are not offroading, I believe you can skip grabbing the Dana 44 rear axle.

Wrangler TJ seats are comfortable...for me. They weren't too hard, or too soft. (But the last I checked was in '01, so I don't know how the new seats are)

As for gas mileage, you might gain a couple MPG because of it being a smaller vehicle, but I wouldn't count a large difference.

Did you also know that the Jeep Wrangler is one of the cheapest vehicles to insure? I believe it's number 8 or so...

Have you test driven a Wrangler? You might know right away if it's not for you. For sure it's not a smooth ride, some people don't like getting in and out and you might consider you'll be losing some storage space too, especially if you want to leave the rear seat in.

They are great for whipping in and out of tight spaces around town though. I commute 25 miles each way in mine, I love bouncing around. It drives me crazy to ride in a normal car. Rubicon would definitely be out for your kind of driving.

and quick response i seem to be able to get honest answers from the jeep community. I did mean sahara btw. I have driven the rubicon and sahara. I love the look of the rubicon but thought the sahara handles better and a slightly better ride. As ya'll know test drives are short rides usually a couple of miles or less so its hard to get a real good feel for the wrangler for me. I do like how quick they turn and the acceleration of the sahara i drove was as good as my I-6 GC. IMO jeep has the best looking suv's i really like the look of the grille and the heritage behind jeep. What other vehicle has the history of jeep and is american made? Thanks Again, Jeff. I will keep ya'll posted on my decision..... :-)

With mounting repair bills on my 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport ($4500 in 1 1/2 yrs) I am seriously considering buying an extended warranty. I came across a company called Direct Vehicle Service Contract (www.directservicecontracts.com) From what I hear and read, it looks pretty good. The rate was reasonable. I liked the fact that there's a $100 deductible per visit (not repair). The underlying insurance company is rated A- by AM Best, though I couldn't find the insurance company on their website. As far as claims go, they will pay it directly to the repair shop/dealer as opposed to me footing the bill first and waiting for them to pay me back. I wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this company. Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated.

I bought the extended warranty on my 2000 Wrangler from my dealer. I think I ended up paying $1,100 for four more years with $50 deductable. I think the price has gone up some since then. The dealership is negotiable on the price for the extended warranty. I think they started out at close to $1,500.

I was dealing with an internet outfit for a couple of months getting prices etc. They went out of business before I could buy (thank goodness).

Still waiting for the 04s to show up in my area. I had been concerend about the Ravine Wheels, until someone posted a pic. Now, this talk about the seats has me concerned. Anyone have any first hand info? What's the pattern? Are they higher/lower/the same? (Sport seats specifically)

While we're on it, did they change the top/interior colors? The 03s I think were slate and khaki; the 02s agate and camel. Variations on a theme I suppose.

embeeduece- I can't answer all your questions about the '04 seats, but can tell you they are different than my '02.

The seats seem to be lower in the vehicle, just a little bit. I liked that because I sit up too high in my '02 and have to look over my steering wheel to see the speedo instead of looking through it. Although, I love how much stuff I can cram under the driver's seat (out of sight) of the older higher mounted seats.

The front seats still feel very comfortable. The shape is different, they look taller to me, or at least wider higher up. It may be an optical illusion, or just my poor memory though

I really liked the passenger seat handle for flipping the seat forward, much better than the rip cord I've got. Same goes for the back seat, a nice handle on the top center to fold the seat forward. Again, maybe it's me, but the back seat seemed to have a slight contour to the front lower section. Over all, they looked more modern and refined - I wouldn't worry about not liking them.

I got my Wrangler back today. The squeaky clutch was the hydraulic clutch slave cylinder, so they replaced it and the master cylinder.

My transmission noise was normal, just bearing roll they said.

Engine ping at high temperature, they couldn't duplicate or fix. They attribute it to my "oversized" tires. Even though it did this with stock tires? Oh well, I'll try again later.

Weather strip around the rear door was separating from the door. They replaced with new weather strip around door and base of soft rear window. The new weather strip is a different design than the stock one. This one is larger and definitely seals better.

I am moving to Vermont for college this fall, and am seriously considering getting a new wrangler next summer. However, insulation from the cold (sometimes well below zero) and the heating capabilities of the wrangler have been a major concern.

if anyone could shed any light on this issue I would greatly appreciate it!

While I am actually just in the market for a Jeep, a good friend of mine owns one ('99 Sport). For the last couple of winters (which can be mighty cold around here in Alberta), even with the soft top on it was actually really comfortable. I wouldn't worry about the heating capabilities at all - but I would suggest getting the hard top for the winter as you don't want to scratch the windows on the soft top while scraping ice...